Speculum with color filter

Abstract

A speculum includes a body portion of generally cylindrical shape having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity, and a proximal end from which internal body tissues may be examined. A handle extends laterally from the proximal end of the speculum body. A light source providing broad spectrum white light may be supported within the handle. A light channel extends along and through the speculum body to direct light from the light source in the handle toward the distal end of the speculum body in order to illuminate the body cavity. One or more color filters are selectively disposed between the light source and the light channel to selectively illuminate the body cavity with light of a corresponding color spectrum.

We claim: 
     
       1. A speculum comprising in combination:
 a. a generally cylindrical body, the generally cylindrical body including an open distal end for insertion into a body cavity and an opposing open proximal end through which an internal tissue area may be examined, the generally cylindrical body having a generally cylindrical hollow passageway extending therethrough; 
 b. a handle coupled to the proximal end of the generally cylindrical body, the handle extending generally laterally from the generally cylindrical body; 
 c. a light source receivable within the handle for providing broad spectrum white light; 
 d. a light channel which extends along the generally cylindrical body to direct light from the light source toward the distal end of the generally cylindrical body in order to illuminate the body cavity; 
 e. a first color filter selectively insertable within a space located between the light source and the light channel to selectively illuminate the body cavity with light of a first color spectrum. 
 
     
     
       2. The speculum recited by  claim 1  wherein the first color filter is selectively removable from the space located between the light source and the light channel to illuminate the body cavity with unfiltered broad spectrum white light. 
     
     
       3. The speculum recited by  claim 1  wherein the space located between the light source and the light channel is a slot formed in the handle, and wherein the first color filter may be inserted into and removed from the slot formed in the handle, thereby changing the spectrum of light illuminating the body cavity. 
     
     
       4. The speculum recited by  claim 3  including a second color filter adapted to be inserted into, and removed from, the slot formed in the handle, the second color filter being of a different color than the first color filter. 
     
     
       5. The speculum recited by  claim 1  wherein the first color filter is rotatably supported within the handle and may be selectively rotated into the space located between the light source and the light channel to illuminate the body cavity with light of a first color spectrum. 
     
     
       6. The speculum recited by  claim 5  wherein the first color filter may be selectively rotated out of the space located between the light source and the light channel to illuminate the body cavity with unfiltered broad spectrum white light. 
     
     
       7. The speculum recited by  claim 1  wherein the first color filter is 0.003″ to 0.005″ thick. 
     
     
       8. The speculum recited by  claim 1  wherein the first color filter is selected to illuminate the body cavity with blue-green light. 
     
     
       9. The speculum recited by  claim 5  including a color wheel rotatably supported within the handle, the first color filter being included in the color wheel, and the color wheel including a second color filter spaced from the first color filter, the second color filter being of a different color than the first color filter, wherein the color wheel is adapted to be rotated to selectively position one of the first and second color filters into the space located between the light source and the light channel to illuminate the body cavity with light of a corresponding color spectrum. 
     
     
       10. The speculum recited by  claim 1  wherein the first color filter is secured to a slider assembly slidingly supported within the handle, wherein a user can slide the slider assembly to a first position for inserting the first color filter within the space located between the light source and the light channel, and wherein the user can slide the slider assembly to a second position wherein the first color filter is removed from the space located between the light source and the light channel, to alter the spectrum of light illuminating the body cavity. 
     
     
       11. The speculum recited by  claim 10  wherein unfiltered broad spectrum white light passes from the light source to the light channel when the slider assembly is at its second position. 
     
     
       12. A gynecological speculum comprising in combination:
 a. a generally cylindrical body, the generally cylindrical body including an open distal end for insertion into a vaginal area and an opposing open proximal end through which the vaginal area may be examined, the generally cylindrical body having a generally cylindrical hollow passageway extending therethrough; 
 b. a handle coupled to the proximal end of the generally cylindrical body, the handle extending generally laterally from the generally cylindrical body; 
 c. a light source receivable within the handle for providing broad spectrum white light; 
 d. a light channel which extends along the generally cylindrical body to direct light from the light source toward the distal end of the generally cylindrical body in order to illuminate the vaginal area; 
 e. a first color filter selectively insertable within a space located between the light source and the light channel in order to selectively illuminate the vaginal area with light of a first color spectrum. 
 
     
     
       13. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 12  wherein the first color filter is selectively removable from the space located between the light source and the light channel to illuminate the vaginal area with unfiltered broad spectrum white light. 
     
     
       14. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 12  wherein the space located between the light source and the light channel is a slot formed in the handle, and wherein the first color filter may be inserted into and removed from the slot formed in the handle, thereby changing the spectrum of light illuminating the vaginal area. 
     
     
       15. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 14  including a second color filter adapted to be inserted into, and removed from, the slot formed in the handle, the second color filter being of a different color than the first color filter. 
     
     
       16. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 12  wherein the open distal end of the generally cylindrical body includes a notched opening for allowing a cervical portion of a patient to enter into the generally cylindrical hollow passageway of the generally cylindrical body. 
     
     
       17. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 12  wherein the truncated conical portion formed at the open proximal end of the generally cylindrical body has a plurality of apertures formed therein to allow sutures to be passed through said plurality of apertures for suturing the truncated conical portion to a patient's body. 
     
     
       18. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 12  wherein the first color filter is rotatably supported within the handle and may be selectively rotated into the space located between the light source and the light channel to illuminate the vaginal area with light of a first color spectrum. 
     
     
       19. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 18  wherein the first color filter may be selectively rotated out of the space located between the light source and the light channel to illuminate the vaginal area with unfiltered broad spectrum white light. 
     
     
       20. The speculum recited by  claim 12  wherein the first color filter is 0.003″ to 0.005″ thick. 
     
     
       21. The speculum recited by  claim 12  wherein the first color filter is selected to illuminate the body cavity with blue-green light. 
     
     
       22. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 12  including a color wheel rotatably supported within the handle, the first color filter being included in the color wheel, and the color wheel including a second color filter spaced from the first color filter, the second color filter being of a different color than the first color filter, wherein the color wheel is adapted to be rotated to selectively position one of the first and second color filters into the space located between the light source and the light channel to illuminate the vaginal area with light of a corresponding color spectrum. 
     
     
       23. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 12  wherein the first color filter is secured to a slider assembly slidingly supported within the handle, wherein a user can slide the slider assembly to a first position for inserting the first color filter within the space located between the light source and the light channel, and wherein the user can slide the slider assembly to a second position wherein the first color filter is removed from the space located between the light source and the light channel, to alter the spectrum of light illuminating the vaginal area. 
     
     
       24. The gynecological speculum recited by  claim 23  wherein unfiltered broad spectrum white light passes from the light source to the light channel when the slider assembly is at its second position.